Monica Vinader

http://www.jimmychoo.com/springsummer-12/papyrus/invt/121papyrussue/

The global Assouline Literary Lounge at Liberty is at the top of the list of Monica’s must-visit places.

Located just off of the store’s charming jewellery room is the newly opened Aladdin’s cave of collectible books. With over 1,000 titles it boasts the largest Assouline collection in the UK within the 1,000 square-foot boutique. Monica adores the extensive coffee table book collection and thoroughly recommends stopping by for a cup of tea to escape the bustle of the city outside. Next on her Assouline book list is ‘Rajasthan’ by Pauline Van Lynden – a beautiful book with the most amazing images, covering 15 years of the author’s travels through India.

Topping Monica’s wish list this summer is a visit to an exhibition of one of Monica’s favourite artists, Eduardo Chillida. Commencing yesterday, this almost five-month long celebration at the Fondation Maeght in Saint-Paul de Vence, South-east France, will display almost 140 of the Spanish artist’s sculptures and works on paper.

Monica shares her hometown of San Sebastian with Chillida and as such has always loved his work. One sculpture in Monica’s top five favourite works is Chillida’s El Peine de Los Vientos, which sits on the rocks by the sea in San Sebastian.

The Chillida Summer 2011 exhibition at Fondation Maeght will run until 13^th November.

This charming little eatery in London’s Highbury is an essential for Monica’s visits to the capital. Traditionally French from its rustic interior to the divine smell of just-baked patisseries that meets you as you enter, Le Péché Mignon also reveals an enchanting garden to the rear. Monica recommends stopping by for a mid-morning pastry or a lunchtime Croque Monsieur for a true taste of Parisian life!

A burst of colour against Le Péché Mignon's traditional interior!